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Phosphorus depletion in forest soils shapes bacterial communities towards phosphorus recycling systems
Author(s) -
Bergkemper Fabian,
Schöler Anne,
Engel Marion,
Lang Friederike,
Krüger Jaane,
Schloter Michael,
Schulz Stefanie
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.13188
Subject(s) - phosphorus , biology , phosphate , soil water , microorganism , soil microbiology , environmental chemistry , bacteria , ecology , biochemistry , chemistry , genetics , organic chemistry
Summary Phosphorus ( P ) is an important macronutrient for all biota on earth but similarly a finite resource. Microorganisms play on both sides of the fence as they effectively mineralize organic and solubilize precipitated forms of soil phosphorus but conversely also take up and immobilize P . Therefore, we analysed the role of microbes in two beech forest soils with high and low P content by direct sequencing of metagenomic deoxyribonucleic acid. For inorganic P solubilization, a significantly higher microbial potential was detected in the P ‐rich soil. This trait especially referred to C andidatus S olibacter usiatus, likewise one of the dominating species in the data sets. A higher microbial potential for efficient phosphate uptake systems ( pstSCAB ) was detected in the P ‐depleted soil. Genes involved in P starvation response regulation ( phoB , phoR ) were prevalent in both soils. This underlines the importance of effective phosphate ( P ho) regulon control for microorganisms to use alternative P sources during phosphate limitation. Predicted genes were primarily harboured by R hizobiales, A ctinomycetales and A cidobacteriales.